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Ruling preserves state net neutrality laws, but upholds FCC’s elimination of federal net neutrality protections
DENVER, CO— Representatives Leslie Herod and Chris Hansen, the sponsors of Colorado’s net neutrality law, today released the following statements after a federal court blocked the FCC from nullifying state net neutrality laws. The court also upheld the FCC’s rollback of Obama-era open internet protections, prompting the members to reiterate the need for a federal-level net neutrality law.
“While I am disappointed that the court has upheld the FCC’s misguided decision to repeal net neutrality, I remain committed to fighting for a free and open internet in Colorado,” said Rep. Leslie Herod (D-Denver). “This year, my Democratic colleagues and I passed a law to help protect the right to an accessible internet. I won’t let my guard down—we will keep fighting for net neutrality in Colorado, and I urge Congress to enact strong protections nationwide.”
“Net neutrality is essential for small businesses, consumers, and tech startups, and I am deeply concerned with today’s decision to uphold the FCC’s elimination of these critical protections,” said Rep. Chris Hansen (D-Denver). “We took action in Colorado to help preserve net neutrality for businesses and consumers in our state, and I call on Republicans in the US Senate to join Democrats and pass a federal net neutrality law. We can’t let well funded special interests take away our right to a free and open internet.”
Reps. Herod and Hansen sponsored legislation last session, which passed the House on a party line vote and was signed into law, to help protect a free and open internet in Colorado. SB19-078 ensures that companies that receive assistance to expand rural broadband provide a net-neutral service. It also gives state contracting preference to internet service providers (ISP) that preserve net neutrality, and it informs consumers on how to file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission if they believe an ISP has violated open internet principles.